Articles

Originally published in: Patch

Affordable housing, crime prevention and electric bus infrastructure were among the City of Alexandria initiatives receiving state and federal funding this week.

Federal funding comes from the appropriation package the U.S. House passed. The package is expected to pass the Senate as well. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Alexandria) requested federal funding for projects in his 8th congressional district, including affordable housing.

“Affordable housing is a major need in Northern Virginia, and I am thrilled that I could help address this issue by securing federal funds for housing projects in all of the jurisdictions I represent: Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax County,” Beyer said, in a release.

Projects receiving federal funding in Alexandria are:

On-Route Electric Transit Bus Opportunity Chargers: $1 million

The funding will support construction and implementation of two fast electric chargers for DASH Bus. The DASH Bus system is working toward a completely zero-emissions battery electric bus fleet. The fast chargers will support future 100 or more zero-emissions DASH buses.

The Virginia Tech “Smart Mobility Lab”: $963,000

Funding will help start the Virginia Tech Smart Mobility Lab and invest in initial research and technology development. The Smart Mobility Lab will be funded in future years through publicly and privately sponsored research from industry and government partners. Some smart mobility technologies in the lab may include a data exchange system for data from various systems deployed in the Smart Mobility Lab, smart intersection solutions to identify conflicts and improve vulnerable road users’ safety, adaptive lighting on roadways that adjust with changing weather conditions and traffic, implementation of customizable features like real-time red light patterns changes to accommodate traffic flow; and mobility hubs to connect multiple modes of transportation and make commuting easier.

Pilot Program for Crime and Violence Prevention: $670,000

The funding will support Alexandria Police's enhanced technology like in-car cameras, fixed license plate readers and surveillance trailers to reduce violent crime and gun violence in Alexandria. Police can use the technology to deter crime as well as investigate and successfully prosecute violent crimes.

Restoration of Affordable Housing at 1022 Pendleton Street Boarding House: $850,000

The City of Alexandria will work with property owners to preserve affordable housing and renovate a building historic, cultural and architectural significance. The boarding house currently has eight housing units with deeply affordable rents, as well as shared living space and room for the restoration of retail or commercial space original to the property.

The city has also received $14.3 million in state grants for three affordable housing projects as part of statewide funding announced by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. This includes $3.4 million for Community Housing Partners’ Witter Place, $8.1 million for Phase I of Housing Alexandria’s Sansé and Naja project and $2.9 million for Housing Alexandria’s Seminary Road project.

"By keeping homes affordable and available, we are cultivating economic growth, strengthening our communities and laying the foundation for a thriving Virginia," said Youngkin in a statement.

Witter Place: $3.4 million

The Witter Place project involves a former car dealership at 2712 Duke Street being turned into 94 family-sized affordable rental units. Households with 40 to 60 percent of the area median income will be eligible to live in the units. Construction will start in fall 2024.

Sansé and Naja: $8.1 million

Sansé and Naja is a multi-phase project that will bring 474 units, including 416 affordable units and 58 affordable condos, to the Arlandria/Chirilagua neighborhood. The affordable units will be for households making 40 to 80 percent of the area median income. The project will also have neighborhood-serving commercial space and flex space for city agencies as well as underground parking. Work has started on the underground parking, infrastructure and stormwater management improvements.

Seminary Road: $2.9 million

Seminary Road will be an affordable condo community with 36 townhouses and multifamily owners for first-time homebuyers. Three other condo units will be for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, replacing an aging group home at the site. Sitework is underway, and. the homes are expected to be ready in mid or late 2025.